Due to the rain and slim chance of the sun showing it’s bright face today, we have to cancel the Truck and Tractor Pulls for this evening.
All other events will still take place though.
There is lots to do out there – 4-H Beef Show, free root beer floats, look at exhibits in the building, eat some good food on the midway, pig races, clowns, face painting, commercial vendors, Sister Whiskey on the midway stage and our new carnival. So still come out!
We will still have the 11th Annual Safety Fair and Kid’s Pedal Pull tonight so be sure to participate!
Ellis County Fair board president, Jill Pfannenstiel
by KARI BLURTON Hays Post
With three days left of the Ellis County Fair, board president Jill Pfannenstiel is encouraging the community to come out and support one of Ellis County’s longest running traditions and the local youth who have worked all year on their 4-H exhibits.
“These kids would love to teach you about their animals and their sewing, their crops and arts and crafts,” Pfannenstiel said. “They are so proud of what they enter… we want people to come see what they have made and how hard they have worked all year, and they are really proud once they get those ribbons and head home with them.”
The 4-H portion of the fair will end Friday evening, with the 4-H barbecue, livestock auction and the “round robin,” an event in which Pfannenstiel said, “Champion showmen will be showing for overall grand champion.”
Pfannenstiel said this week’s rain did not drown-out one of the fair’s biggest draws, the second night of the Kansas Professional Rodeo Association’s event, but two events were rescheduled for Thursday.
“Due to the rain all day Wednesday, we went ahead and moved the Kids Safety Fair and kids pedal pull to Thursday evening, same time, same place, out here on the midway and we invite everyone to come out here for that,” Pfannenstiel said. “The first 200 kids get a free bag of goodies, a firetruck, ambulance, all sorts of vehicles will be out here for the kids to look at…it is a real popular event.”
The Kids Safety Fair is from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., and the pedal pull starts at 7:00 p.m.
Other events scheduled to close the fair include Friday’s concert, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in which Logan Mize will open, at 7:45 p.m. Friday.
The fair will close with what Pfannenstiel said has proved to be the “biggest night” in years past, with the annual Ellis County Fair Demolition Derby, scheduled for Saturday night.
For a complete list of events and times, visit the Ellis County Fair website.
Ellis County Fair’s KPRA Rodeo, Tuesday
Ellis County Fair’s KPRA Rodeo, Tuesday
Ellis County Fair’s KPRA Rodeo, Tuesday
Ellis County Fair’s KPRA Rodeo, Tuesday
“Redneck Olympics” at Ellis County Fair’s KPRA Rodeo, Tuesday
CALDWELL, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. Geological Survey reports an earthquake rattled south-central Kansas.
The 3.6 magnitude earthquake was reported about 5:40 a.m. Thursday about 11 miles west-northwest of Caldwell in Sumner County.
KWCH-TV reports several residents from Medicine Lodge, Anthony and Argonia reported feeling the earthquake but there were no reports of serious damage.
After five years as the associate director of the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science at Fort Hays State University, Dr. Roger W. Schieferecke has been named director, taking over for Ron Keller, who retired in May.
“I understand the culture of FHSU and have developed positive relationships with faculty and staff across campus,” said Schieferecke. “I accepted the director position because I believe I can continue the progress that the academy has made since its inception.”
Keller retired from the position after 40 years in education — six of those with KAMS.
Will Burns, former school counselor at Hays Middle School, is the new assistant.
Schieferecke received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication in 1995 and 1998, respectively, from FHSU. He then worked in the admissions office for seven years before moving to Louisiana.
KAMS Director Dr. Roger Schieferecke
After three years, Schieferecke returned to school full time and earned his doctorate in 2009 from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion.
While an adjunct instructor at South Dakota, Schieferecke developed an online interdisciplinary education and action course that incorporated service learning and focused on worldwide poverty and social justice.
“I led an ‘alternative spring break’ trip where I took 10 students to San Francisco, and we worked with the homeless, women with HIV and school children. I also led several weekends of service where we worked on Indian reservations, community gardens, inner-city youth centers, etc.,” Scheiferecke said.
“Working as the associate director and academic advisor, I understand the issues that our students face as younger students in a college environment,” Schieferecke said. “I understand the developmental process that our students go through and therefore can implement the support services needed to ensure their success.”
“Roger has been a great asset to the KAMS program,” said Dr. Gavin Buffington, chair of the Department of Physics. Buffington worked with Scheiferecke on the curriculum requirements for the program.
“I am very pleased that he is now the director of the program,” said Buffington. “Roger has a clear and focused vision with respect to making the KAMS program a center of excellence. I look forward to working and learning with future KAMS students, the talented KAMS staff and of course, Roger.”
KAMS Assistant Director for Student Services Will Burns
Prior to coming to FHSU, Burns spent three years as a fourth-grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School and then four years as a counselor at Hays Middle School.
Burns received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in school counseling from FHSU.
“As a graduate of FHSU, I have a high regard for the people that work here at FHSU and the quality of education that FHSU provides to all of its students,” Burns said. “As a school counselor, I have always been excited to work with students on college and career exploration. This new position as assistant director of KAMS will allow me to do just that. I will be able to use my previous knowledge and experience in school counseling to provide support services for the KAMS students.”
Burns hopes that working with the KAMS students will allow him to build a professional relationship, so he can aid them in developing a plan for their future.
“If you can build a working relationship, you can help students explore and prepare to reach their future goals.”
Both Burns and Schieferecke expressed how the KAMS program benefits the FHSU community.
“It brings some of the best and brightest that Kansas has to offer to the FHSU campus,” Burns said. “The international component is a huge benefit to the FHSU community, because it provides KAMS and traditional FHSU students an opportunity to learn about diversity, culture and the world outside of Hays.”
“The KAMS program benefits the FHSU community in numerous ways,” said Schieferecke. “One of the more obvious ways is through leadership positions in organizations across campus. From the inception of the academy, our students have been actively engaged in student organizations.”
KAMS students are also tutors through the Kelly Center and various departments and involved in band and choir.
This fall, the sixth KAMS will begin work.
Students at the academy complete the last two years of high school and earn a minimum of 68 hours of college credit in an advanced curriculum. Students in the program average 75 hours of college credit earned.
The Kansas Academy is one of 16 such academies around the country, and its aim is much the same as similar programs: Keep talented young people in state by providing a rigorous academic environment, thus stopping an out-migration of highly ambitious and accomplished young people. In the process, the economic future of the state is also brightened.
Prospective KAMS students must have completed at least two years of high school with distinction in mathematics or science. However, outstanding academic achievement is not the only criterion for acceptance; KAMS selects students based on drive, interest, maturity, stability, and personal and family commitment.
The Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science is still accepting applications for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year.
Applications and more information on the program can be found at www.fhsu.edu/kams/.
John C. Thorns, Jr., age 88, of Hays, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Hays Medical Center. He was born April 14, 1926 in Denver, Colorado to John C. and Margaret B. (Hallauer) Thorns. He married Catherine Gallagher on August 9, 1952. She preceded him in death in December of 1958.
John was a retired professor of art at Fort Hays State University where he had taught since 1954 and chairman of the art department since 1973. He studied at FHSU, Indiana University and the University of Iowa, where he received an MFA in architectural design. He served as national president of Delta Pi Delta honorary art fraternity was named Outstanding Educator of America in 1975 and is listed in Who’s Who of American Art.
The cultural climate of western Kansas has been enriched by Thorns’ involvement. He was a founder and president of the Hays Arts Council and has served on the Kansas Arts Commission’s visual arts advisory panel. He coordinated the exhibitions scheduled at FHSU and was art consultant to Hadley regional Medical Center and Farmers State Bank in Hays. He also served as advisor to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation Museum in Logan. He developed the MFA program at Fort Hays State University and curated the Kansas national Exhibition of Small Paintings each year. He was architectural designer for the First Presbyterian Church in Hays, the Art Department in Rarick Hall and the Campanile at FHSU. In 1987 the FHSU art gallery was named the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art in honor of Thorns and Dr. Moss, his predecessor as chairman. The Art Exhibition Association honored him with the “Art Enhancer Award” in 1988. Thorns retired in 1990.
In his paintings, Thorns suggests rather than depicts nature by using graceful areas of color within moving forms. His works appear to be representations of vast, lonely, imaginary terrains, contrasted with the reality of plant life or underwater forms incorporated into the works by combining collage and acrylic.
John was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church and was part of the Founding board of the Center for Life Experiences at the church.
He is survived by a daughter, Karen Thorns; a sister, Margaret Schmidt; a brother, James Thorns; a niece, Margaret Ann Bicher and husband Vernon all of Hays; nephews, John Alan Laurer and wife Brenda of Bonita Springs, Florida, David Laurer and fiancé Tracy Mots of Kansas City, Kansas and Steve Laurer of Carl Junction, Maryland.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Jennifer Ruth Thorns.
Funeral services will be 4:00 PM Sunday, July 20, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church 2900 Hall, Hays, KS.
Visitation will be Saturday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the church.
Private family burial will be on Monday in the Sylvan Grove Cemetery.
Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel of Hays.
Memorials are suggested to FHSU Foundation/Art Museum, First Presbyterian Church of Hays or Hays Medical Center Foundation/Heart. Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas tax consultant told his clients that he worked with Gov. Sam Brownback’s office to rid the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals of employees who weren’t “taxpayer friendly,” but after the governor’s office denied the claim, the consultant recanted.
In a July 14 letter obtained by the Topeka Capital-Journal, Jerry Chatam, president of Overland Park-based J.W. Chatam & Associates, told clients that an agreement with the governor’s office meant remaining board members wouldn’t “present any more problems.”
Brownback’s chief of staff, Landon Fulmer, says he has had only one conversation with Chatam and doesn’t know what he’s talking about in the letter.
On Wednesday, Chatam said he hadn’t worked with anyone in the governor’s office, and some points in the letter were only his opinion.
Hays, Kansas – Genevieve G. Henry, age 84 died Monday, July 14, 2014, at Via Christi Village Hays, Kansas.
She was born February 11, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to Herman and Elizabeth M. (Hensel) Renkema.
She married John W. Henry on December 24, 1951 on the farm at Norton, Kansas. He died July 12, 1987.
She was a Girl Scout Executive for the Sunflower Girl Scout Council in Hays, Kansas for over 20 years. She grew up and attended school in Chicago. She was a school teacher in Lorraine and Norton for a few years. She moved to Hays in the early 1950’s.
Survivors include three sons, John W. Henry Jr. and wife, Ronda, Hawaii; James P. Henry and wife, Linda, Council Grove, KS; Dr. Jeffery Henry M.D. and wife, Kelly, Hays, KS; one daughter, Jill E. Hunt, Victoria, KS; one sister, Patricia Graves, Herington, KS; eight grandchildren, Christopher J. Hunt, Kara Johnsen, Justin Kibel, Bailey Henry, Ryan Henry, Oliver Henry, Emma Henry, Abigail Henry; and four great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Graveside services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 19, 2014, at Mount Allen Cemetery Hays, Kansas.
Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Memorial to Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland INC. 2707 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Dear Dave,
I have a very large amount of student loan debt. Where would that go in your Baby Steps plan? Jade
Dave Ramsey
Dear Jade,
Baby Step 2 is where you pay off all debt except for your house. The fact that it’s a large amount of student loan debt doesn’t change anything.
Hopefully, with your very large amount of student loan debt, you also have a very large income. Believe it or not, there are some really sad situations out there where people have gone $200,000 into debt for a four-year degree in a field where they make $50,000 a year. That kind of thinking and behavior is ridiculous, but it’s out there.
Whatever you do, Jade, don’t treat this student loan debt as if it were a mortgage. In other words, don’t let it hang around for years and years and years. You’ve got to get focused and intense about paying off this mess and getting on with your life.
Remember, your income is your largest wealth-building tool. You can’t save and plan for the future when all your money is flying out the door to pay back debt!
—Dave
Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, EntreLeadership and Smart Money Smart Kids. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 8 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas ethics commission has fined a Congressional candidate for a campaign finance violation.
The Kansas City Star reports that Kelly Kultala, a Wyandotte County Democrat, was fined $100 for transferring $1,000 from her state Senate fund into her congressional campaign account. Kansas law bars from candidates using money raised for state races for federal campaigns.
Kultala, a member of the Kansas senate from 2009 to 2012, is seeking the nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder in the Third Congressional District. She faces Reginald Marselus of Lenexa in the primary.
The Kultala campaign said it returned the money as soon as it learned it was transferred from her Senate account.
Stacy Befort, Misty Lohmeyer, Pauleen Edmonds, Phyllis LaShell, Dena Patee (at microphone), Tim Kohlrus, Sylvia Kinderknecht
ELLIS-The Ellis Community Foundation made grants to seven entities this year.
The 2014 grant recipients are:
Kids Club: $500 grant for enrichment supplies and materials
5th Quarter: $500 grant to purchase movie tickets, and $5-$25 gift certificates for each event
Ellis Recreation Commission: $500 grant to purchase Poly-Cap fence guard for the softball field
Ellis High School Alumni Association: $500 grant to offset facility rental expenses
Ellis Nutrition Center: $500 to purchase new window air conditioner
USD 388 Teacher Stacy Befort: $500 to purchase Apple I-Pad with screen protector, display case and I-Tunes program card
USD 388 Teacher Misty Lohmeyer: $424.94 grant to purchase Apple I-Pad with screen protector and display case
The mission of the Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in Ellis and the surrounding area. The Foundation is governed by a local board of trustees with a passion for keeping Ellis an attractive place to live, work and raise a family.
Since 2006, the Community Foundation has invested more than $187,000.00 in Ellis, with nearly $12,000 in grant funds to local organizations.
ELLIS COUNTY FAIR
